Hull waxing, does it really slow you down? :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Hull waxing, does it really slow you down?

hooter13

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Aug 05, 2009

Last visit: Aug 17, 2009

Posts: 4
Posted: Aug 06, 2009 - 11:07 AM

Hi, just got me first Hobie and the hull bottems are in need of a little attention. I've heard that waxing a hull will actually slow you down. Is that true? If you are not hard core racing is it better to wax for the protection? I've heard opinions go both ways.(I also posted this question on the newbie site but thought this might be a better place, but didn't know how to cancel it after posting). Thanks for the help.
smfinley

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 24, 2005

Last visit: Apr 18, 2023

Posts: 709
Posted: Aug 06, 2009 - 11:17 AM

Good questions. IMHO a good polish and wax of the hulls is a good thing to do periodically to help maintain their appearance and longevity. I have also heard it both ways about slowing you down, but can't imagine it will make a noticable difference in your recreational sailing of the boat. Probably better to have a better condition boat that lasts longer then a boat that is fractionally faster and in worse condition. Also if you polish the boat so the hulls are smoother (instead of having a rough buildup on them) you could actually help even if the wax is slower then no wax.

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Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
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Deepsees

Rank: Mate

Registered: Mar 02, 2003

Last visit: Jun 09, 2010

Posts: 119
Posted: Aug 06, 2009 - 01:59 PM

Yes it certainly slows you down... it creates a kind of suction. If you had a speedometer that read off in tenths of a knot... you might see it. If you are not anal about getting that one tenth knot... it makes little difference.

Water and air lubricate themselves if they have a mico turbulence created by motion across a rougher surface creating a rolling turbulence like oil does to an engine.

If you are not racing... not an issue.
kgatesman

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 06, 2009

Last visit: Jun 25, 2017

Posts: 223
Posted: Aug 06, 2009 - 02:16 PM

I have sanded, polished and buffed my arms off making the P18 shiny, I am not going to let the UVs wreck my effort for increases in speed I can't measure on a 27 year old boat. I like shiny.

I wax it in the spring and fall, if I was anal, I would do a repeat mid-summer, but waxing on the beach could be time sailing (and sand might stick to the wax and make things worse).

edited by: kgatesman, Aug 06, 2009 - 01:21 PM
P.M.

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 14, 2004

Last visit: Sep 25, 2024

Posts: 866
Posted: Aug 06, 2009 - 02:43 PM

There is another consideration to wax vs. no wax. When your racing in tough or extreme high wind, big chop conditions, traction is critical. No wax, and SPF is applied on the beach before heading out.

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Philip
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pirateboy27

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Dec 20, 2009

Last visit: Oct 30, 2014

Posts: 53
Posted: Mar 12, 2011 - 11:50 PM

DeepseesYes it certainly slows you down... it creates a kind of suction. like oil does to an engine.

But oil "sticks" to metal--thats how it provides protection from wear. The oil itself does the sliding between parts right?

Deepseesmico turbulence created by motion across a rougher surface creating

If this was true then all new race boats would have a dull finish, I think. They don't--they shine real nice I think.
Mind you, I don't KNOW this, but I did a race last summer and all the other boats looked brightly polished.

Sooo this is what got me to reading all the old posts on waxing/polishing in the tech section of the forums. I have a 1981 P18 I'm restoring and I just spent my whole Saturday buffing the hulls with this huge orbital buffer from my neighbor that throws me around like a dog toy. I'm using Meguiars "Mirror Glaze 9 Swirl Remover 2.0" and finishing with "Mirror Glaze New Car Glaze 5". I don't think either one is a "wax" as that word is not on either lable, both say "polish". The finish is so slick a rag acts like a fried egg on Teflon...ZIP! The weird thing is, water doesn't bead up like it should, it just runs off. Is this what I want?

Now, my boat is never going to get me invited to do the GT300, or do speed tests against the newest F18's, but I have a bud with an old 5.2 and I need to kick his A$$ the next time we race around one of the Gulf pump stations.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

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Repairable P18
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Edchris177

Rank: Chief

Registered: Nov 26, 2009

Last visit: Aug 10, 2024

Posts: 2531
Posted: Mar 15, 2011 - 04:47 PM

Get hold of a cheap GPS, Garmins 255W were on sale here last week for $49 Cdn. Put it in a watertight bag & go sailing for a few days. record the highest speeds attained, & wind/wave conditions.
Then polish/rub/wax/buff the snot out of your boat, & go sailing again. Unless you are of scientific mind & make very detailed records & observations regarding wind, water condition, you won't be able to eliminate all the variables, it won't be an exact apples to apples comparison, but hey you're not in the Tybee 500, right?
I suspect that you will find the differences very small, & remember, the highest speed obtained might only be for a second or two, meaning the difference equates to the square root of f@#$ all!
I think excess weight will be a bigger factor, you will gain more by sponging out the 10 lbs of water in the hulls. Learning to trim sails better than your bud, or picking a better line, along with manging the puffs will yield more.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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**unknown user**

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jan 01, 2024

Last visit: Mar 16, 2011

Posts: 4
Posted: Mar 15, 2011 - 11:22 PM

Park the polish, and go sail! Only NASA can tell the difference.
bill40421SE

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 15, 2010

Last visit: Oct 19, 2024

Posts: 301
Posted: Mar 16, 2011 - 03:11 AM

My Hobie 21SE is gunsmoke blue(the stars and stripes series)and I like to detail my boat with 3M marine ultra performance paste wax.It give the hulls a wet look.I use Penetrol on the mast and all other metal parts.It is fun to spend a little air weekend detailing my boats(2) listening to some island music with a few cold beers.I park my boats under my big oak tree and enjoy the shade and also I enjoy having the time to do what ever makes me smile.I even like to detail my friends boats too.If I am at the lake and there is no wind,I will detail my boat by my campsite and grill out.It is better at the lake detailing your boat than working around the house.
Bill 404 21SE

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Bill 404 21SE
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bill40421SE

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 15, 2010

Last visit: Oct 19, 2024

Posts: 301
Posted: Mar 16, 2011 - 03:13 AM

Light air weekend,my bad...........

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Bill 404 21SE
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pirateboy27

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Dec 20, 2009

Last visit: Oct 30, 2014

Posts: 53
Posted: Mar 18, 2011 - 05:38 PM

Hey guys, thanks for all the replys! I'm gonna consider the time I put in as "pride of ownership" (like Bill) so I won't feel I wasted a weekend, and just move on. I do need more time learning my boat, and I promise to practice as much as I can this season. Now if I can just put it all back together... See ya'll out there

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Repairable P18
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ConnorG

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Sep 02, 2010

Last visit: Sep 14, 2016

Posts: 43
Posted: Mar 21, 2011 - 11:46 PM

Check out those swinsuits that the olympic swimmers wear. I'v heard they have the texture of shark skin and is rough like sandpaper. Personally i'd rather a boat be protected from the sun and saltwater. Since we have waxed our boat it is now much easier to clean up and doesn't have the nasty stain brown color after sailing in the Mobile Bay.
bill40421SE

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 15, 2010

Last visit: Oct 19, 2024

Posts: 301
Posted: Mar 22, 2011 - 03:52 AM

I always use older beach towels to wipe my boat down once it is back on the trailer.And have another beer while I doing it.You must stay hydrated!

When my '81 white Hobie 16 gets real dirty from being stored a long time,I spend a weekend cleaning it.I start by misting pure bleach on those white hulls very carefully on a dry day without any wind.Let it sit in the sun for a little while(two beers is about the right length of time) and wash them off with warm soapy water.That will kill any mold that tends to develops over time and breaks it down so it will come off easy.Now get some Chore Boy Golden Fleece scrubbing clothes and Barkeepers Friend and scrub off all dirt.Wear gloves!Use a stiff short hair scrub brush on the non-slip deck to get out the dirt.Your white boat will look brilliant white.Follow up with a good marine wax,two coats and your ready for the season.

I can take a neglect old catamaran and give it some love and make it look almost new.I have restored many Hobie cats and try to find a couple each year to save.Look around some sailing clubs and you may find some just sitting in the weeds.... a gem ready to be shined.
After touring a club some years ago,I found several somewhat new Hobie's sitting around in the high weeds and asked the tour guide about them.She said the owner lost interest and will just buy new ones if they get interested again.I told her ,Shame on this club for allowing their members to let a boat rot away....

A weekend working on your boats is almost as fun as sailing.You will know that your boat is in top shape and you will have no worries....check everything twice....and go have fun
Bill 404 21SE

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Bill 404 21SE
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